Help Save “Enviropigs” From Untimely Deaths

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Last Tuesday, Farm Sanctuary reached out to the University of Guelph about saving the lives of 16 “Enviropigs” who will likely be meeting an untimely death if they’re not rescued, but the university says that adopting them out is not an option.

“We have had many generous and well-intentioned offers from individuals and groups who would like to help find homes for our Enviropigs. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no opportunity for this to occur,” said Professor Richard Moccia, associate vice-president for research.

The pigs were created in partnership with Ontario pork with the intention of making more environmentally friendly pigs for human consumption and the pigs were set to be approved under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, but Ontario pork pulled its funding this spring.

Now that this project is ending, the pigs will likely be put down if the university can’t find new partners to continue the work.

Researchers at the university genetically modified the pigs by inserting E. coli bacteria attached to DNA from a mouse into their chromosomes. As a result, an enzyme is produced that helps them digest phosphorus in cereal grains and reduce its presence in their manure. Phosphorus is typically used as fertilizer, but also leads to troublesome algae blooms in water.

“We are legally bound to keep the animals in close containment, and the protocols strictly forbid the disposition of animals at the termination of research. As such, adoption, donation or transfer of the animals would represent a breach of our protocols, as well as Canadian regulations,” said Moccia.

Bruce Friedrich, senior director for strategic initiatives at Farm Sanctuary, contends that there isn’t actually a law that is preventing them from releasing the pigs, and if there is, then they should get an exemption.

The university is reportedly concerned that the pigs may reproduce with domesticated or feral pigs, or possibly end up in the food supply, but Farm Sanctuary offered the simple solution of having them spayed/neutered and already has possible homes lined up for them.

“Pigs are interesting individuals who have the same behavioral needs, capacities for cognition and emotion, and range of personalities that we all know to exist in dogs and cats,” said Friedrich. “For the same reason they wouldn’t kill 16 healthy dogs at the end of a research project, we’re asking the University of Guelph to take responsibility for the lives of these poor animals they brought into the world and instead of killing them, give them a chance to live out their final years basking in sunshine, taking mud baths, and simply being pigs.”

It is sad that there are people who try to use pseudoscience to justify killing these pigs. There is no scientifical or shall we say, scientific evidence that these pigs will be a source of spreading GMO organisms. A little knowledge sure can be very dangerous.

Unfortunately, as much I love animals, I have to go against this petition. As someone explained earlier, these are genetically modified animals(OGMs). They have mouse DNA inserted into them via an E.coli plasmid vector to express a protein which gives them the ability to metabolize or do a certain function. These animals must not be reintroduced into nature even if they are spayed or neutered. Their DNA has been tampered with and it is dangerous for the rest of nature if these pigs come to contact with it. DNA can be transfered without the animal reproducing (for example its blood from a wound comes into contact). The fact is the bacteria is also an OGM and if it is a transitional expression, this strain of bacteria must not get into contact with the rest of the bacteria for it could transfer its modified DNA containing the mouse gene. This is not the same type of animal as a beagle who was used let's say to research the toxicity of a given drug. Unfortunately, OGMs are more present than we know. It is important we understand that an I understand the concern for the animal and I too am an animal lover. Please unless you have a way of completing refuting what I just stated (for these are scientifical facts) do not reply with hateful comments.

Unfortunately, as much I love animals, I have to go against this petition. As someone explained earlier, these are genetically modified animals(OGMs). They have mouse DNA inserted into them via an E.coli plasmid vector to express a protein which gives them the ability to metabolize or do a certain function. These animals must not be reintroduced into nature even if they are spayed or neutered. Their DNA has been tampered with and it is dangerous for the rest of nature if these pigs come to contact with it. DNA can be transfered without the animal reproducing (for example its blood from a wound comes into contact). The fact is the bacteria is also an OGM and if it is a transitional expression, this strain of bacteria must not get into contact with the rest of the bacteria for it could transfer its modified DNA containing the mouse gene. This is not the same type of animal as a beagle who was used let's say to research the toxicity of a given drug. Unfortunately, OGMs are more present than we know. It is important we understand that an I understand the concern for the animal and I too am an animal lover. Please unless you have a way of completing refuting what I just stated (for these are scientifical facts) do not reply with hateful comments.

Unfortunately, as much I love animals, I have to go against this petition. As someone explained earlier, these are genetically modified animals(OGMs). They have mouse DNA inserted into them via an E.coli plasmid vector to express a protein which gives them the ability to metabolize or do a certain function. These animals must not be reintroduced into nature even if they are spayed or neutered. Their DNA has been tampered with and it is dangerous for the rest of nature if these pigs come to contact with it. DNA can be transfered without the animal reproducing (for example its blood from a wound comes into contact). The fact is the bacteria is also an OGM and if it is a transitional expression, this strain of bacteria must not get into contact with the rest of the bacteria for it could transfer its modified DNA containing the mouse gene. This is not the same type of animal as a beagle who was used let's say to research the toxicity of a given drug. Unfortunately, OGMs are more present than we know. It is important we understand that an I understand the concern for the animal and I too am an animal lover. Please unless you have a way of completing refuting what I just stated (for these are scientifical facts) do not reply with hateful comments.

Unfortunately, as much I love animals, I have to go against this petition. As someone explained earlier, these are genetically modified animals(OGMs). They have mouse DNA inserted into them via an E.coli plasmid vector to express a protein which gives them the ability to metabolize or do a certain function. These animals must not be reintroduced into nature even if they are spayed or neutered. Their DNA has been tampered with and it is dangerous for the rest of nature if these pigs come to contact with it. DNA can be transfered without the animal reproducing (for example its blood from a wound comes into contact). The fact is the bacteria is also an OGM and if it is a transitional expression, this strain of bacteria must not get into contact with the rest of the bacteria for it could transfer its modified DNA containing the mouse gene. This is not the same type of animal as a beagle who was used let's say to research the toxicity of a given drug. Unfortunately, OGMs are more present than we know. It is important we understand that an I understand the concern for the animal and I too am an animal lover. Please, unless you have a way of completing refuting what I just stated do not reply with hateful comments.

Unfortunately, as much I love animals, I have to go against this petition. As someone explained earlier, these are genetically modified animals(OGMs). They have mouse DNA inserted into them via an E.coli plasmid vector to express a protein which gives them the ability to metabolize or do a certain function. These animals must not be reintroduced into nature even if they are spayed or neutered. Their DNA has been tampered with and it is dangerous for the rest of nature if these pigs come to contact with it. DNA can be transfered without the animal reproducing (for example its blood from a wound comes into contact). The fact is the bacteria is also an OGM and if it is a transitional expression, this strain of bacteria must not get into contact with the rest of the bacteria for it could transfer its modified DNA containing the mouse gene. This is not the same type of animal as a beagle who was used let's say to research the toxicity of a given drug. Unfortunately, OGMs are more present than we know. It is important we understand that an I understand the concern for the animal and I too am an animal lover. Please unless you have a way of completing refuting what I just stated (for these are scientifical facts) do not reply with hateful comments.

LET THE PIGS GO -- create new protocols to free these pigs into caring and knowing arms -- it's a very weak excuse claiming that you have a contract and you don't want to break it! If it benefits all the parties, you create a NEW contract -- set these pigs free -- there are good, caring and knowledgeable people waiting for them!